Dutch scientist created bacteria that repair cracked buildings by turning cracks into stone, making concrete heal itself and saving billions in repair costs

• Dutch microbiologist Professor Henk Jonkers holds a sample of self-healing concrete, an innovation that uses bacteria to repair cracks automatically.
• Concrete is the backbone of modern civilisation, supporting everything from homes and skyscrapers to bridges, tunnels and dams.
• Yet even this remarkably strong material has a costly weakness.